The Roots of Optimistic Self-Responsibility

In different phases and trainings of my coaching education, I encountered the concept of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer. This approach has reshaped therapeutic and coaching practices by emphasizing solutions over problems and possibilities over limitations. I call the core idea optimistic self-responsibility.

Five Pillars of Optimistic Self-Responsibility

1. Focus on Resources

In traditional therapy approaches, people were often perceived based on their problems or diagnoses. SFBT and coaching approaches inspired by it reverse this perspective. Instead of seeing people as "broken" or "problematic," the assumption is that individuals already possess the necessary resources to create significant changes in their lives.

This is not just about positive thinking – it is a practical attitude that recognizes people as experts in their own lives. When we acknowledge people's existing abilities and experiences, we tap into a rich reservoir of potential solutions uniquely tailored to their circumstances.

2. Language of Possibility

The way we speak shapes how we think and act. In coaching, we deliberately move away from problem-focused language toward a dialogue centered around possibilities. This shift is subtle but powerful. For example, replacing "if" with "when" in phrases like "When this improves..." instead of "If this improves..." creates an implicit assumption of positive change.

Future-oriented questions take precedence over problem analysis. This doesn't mean ignoring problems but approaching them through the lens of solution-building rather than simply searching for solutions to problems.

3. Client Agency

At its core, there is a profound respect for the agency of the client. This is reflected in three key beliefs:

• Clients are capable of making their own decisions and implementing changes

• Small steps toward solutions are already happening, even if unrecognized

• Minor changes can evolve into significant transformations

  
  

This perspective empowers clients to recognize their existing progress and build on it, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of their challenges.

4. Solution Development

Solutions are not prescribed – they are co-created. This process involves:

• Active participation from clients in developing their own solutions

• Focusing on what works rather than on what is wrong

• Identifying and building on exceptions – those moments when the problem is less present or completely absent

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This approach ensures that solutions are both authentic and sustainable, as they emerge from the client's own experience and wisdom.

5. Collaborative Relationship

The relationship in coaching is fundamentally collaborative. Rather than positioning the coach as an expert offering advice, a partnership is created where:

• Coach and client work as equals

• The coach's primary role is to facilitate discovery

• Questions are designed to awaken the client's inherent wisdom rather than diagnose problems

Practical Application

Instead of asking: "Why does this problem keep happening?"Coaches might ask: "When have you handled similar situations successfully?", "What small step could you take tomorrow that would show you’re moving in the right direction?"

These questions move the client from problem focus to solution-building, from past explanations to future-oriented action.

The Power of This Approach

What makes this approach particularly effective is its ability to create immediate progress. By focusing on solutions and capabilities rather than problems and limitations, clients often experience positive changes early in the process. This early success boosts confidence and motivation for continued growth.

Emphasizing optimistic self-responsibility does not negate the reality of challenges; instead, it reframes them as opportunities for discovering and applying solutions. It is an approach that acknowledges both the difficulty of change and the capacity for growth, creating a balanced and effective path toward positive transformation.